A Christmas Waldorf Doll Finish

There doesn't seem to be anywhere near as much blogging these days and I keep wondering whether to bother, but I will for now ..... for the record at least. Really, I favour Instagram now, but anyways!!

I finally finished the Waldorf doll I started several months ago, but was awaiting for her clothing! I think I’m making a bit of progress with each doll I make, but still want to improve. I love the pink tights I’ve made for her, but can’t decide on the head wear ..... knitted headband or knitted bonnet (photos of both)?
Do you see her peeking through the stairs at the Christmas tree 😀

Happy Christmas everyone 🎄🎅🤶

Shabby Chic embroidery

Just a quick one to show a bit more embroidery I've been practising, which I've made up into a little cushion/pillow, adding a piece of lovely vintage pink stripe fabric and a few Mother of Pearl buttons.

It's a little bit Shabby Chic in style and colouring, which I love. This is it still in the hoop:

...... and the back - I found a nice piece of pink silk fabric

That's it for today.

Shetland Fairisle Knitting

Well, here’s a new challenge for me! Knitting 🧶 ‘in the round’. I was taught to knit as a child by my mom, but I’ve only ever dipped into it here and there over the years - matinee coats for babies; and even sweaters for myself, plus one for an ex-husband (not ‘ex’ at the time LOL).

Over the last 6 or 7 years I though, I’ve become more and more interested in knitting again – and lately I love to knit for my Waldorf dolls. 

So, 'knitting in the round' - something I’ve never tried! For me, it’s only ever been two straight needles, knitting and purling; and generally able to follow a pattern. However, with the new surge in knitting (and other crafts too) it seems increasingly that when I look at a pattern, it calls for knitting in the round. Initially I simply avoided those patterns, but then realised I was missing out on some lovely things to knit. So, in the end I caved in, bought some circular needles and decided that learning this strange (to me) method of knitting was the answer! So on to YouTube I went. There’s hardly any kind of teaching resource you can’t find on YouTube - and mostly free – it’s fab! Just lots of lovely crafting communities willing to share their knowledge. 

Alongside this over recent years (like many) I’ve become ever aware of the damage we’re all doing to our planet with the global warming issues and the over use of plastic, so wherever possible I’m doing my best to swap to sustainable, natural products. And with that in mind, I’ve vowed to never again buy acrylic knitting yarn - for acrylic read plastic! The same applies to any fabrics I buy, although I’ve vastly cut back on fabric. 

So in my search for some pure/natural yarn, I came across the beautiful yarns produced in the Shetland Islands, which is great as I’m also attempting to ‘buy British’ and do away with those ‘air miles’. Buying from Shetland also sparked an interest in fairisle knitting. There are some extremely talented ladies on Shetland who are just amazing ....... and so fast at it too! 

Anyway, this is a very long-winded introduction to my current project - and little of it to show at the moment, but having sent off for some lovely 100% Shetland wool yarn, I’m breaking myself in gently (I hope 😟) by knitting a beanie hat. Wrong time of year I know, but it might take until next winter to finish it 😁. 

So yesterday I made a slow start and managed to get as far as the ribbed edge. I was very pleased with myself though when bearing in mind:-

·      This is my first attempt at ‘knitting in the round’ (apart from one little practice piece);

·       It’s 4-ply yarn, so takes longer to knit up; and 

·       It’s fairisle. 

So, this is what I’ve achieved so far:

And this is how I hope it’ll look when finished, but in a different colourway.

I’ve also discovered the Shetland Islands hold a knitting festival each year 😁. This would have been its 11^th year. At the beginning of the year I was pondering the notion of a trip to Shetland (Britain’s most northerly region) to visit the island and of course go to the knitting festival ……….... yes I know, there are closer knitting festivals – to be honest France is closer to me than Shetland!! But it would be a mini holiday too wouldn’t it - and now being a (retired) lady of leisure, I can do that. Of course, due to Coronavirus, this year’s festival has now been cancelled, but I’m planning for next year instead. Have you seen how close it is to Norway and Iceland? Yes, it’ll be cold 🥶 but with a good wind, I’ll have my beanie hat to wear.  

Alongside the festival, they produce an annual magazine full of lovely patterns, plus interesting information about the Islands, so while ordering the yarn, I also ordered one of the back magazines (2018). The fairisle fingerless gloves are in very pretty colours; and I love the sweater on the front, and although I love that mustardy kind of colour, I can see it in a nice winter red - maybe with a matching beanie ......

...... too adventurous maybe?? 

Oh, I nearly forgot! I’ve also made these two tabard aprons for my nephew’s partner who needs them ready when she returns to work as a Steiner teacher. Crafting with little ones can get messy!

So, that's it for now!

Waldorf Doll making

Just over a week ago, I attended a weekend Waldorf Doll Making workshop in Hereford! It was run and hosted by the very talented Ildiko of Waldorf Doll Shop. It was a very intensive 2 days ………….. and with ‘homework’ to be done on the Saturday evening too! That was to start crocheting the wig cap. Ildiko had us working hard, because there’s a lot to do to complete a doll in a weekend – she’s a very good and thorough teacher; and the ‘proof of the pudding’ is in the dolls we produced. And that didn’t include making the clothes either – they were already made for us. During the weekend, Ildiko also fed and watered us with plenty of delicious homemade food, biscuits and refreshments.

I’ve had a go at making a couple of Waldorf dolls over the last year, but with little success. It’s the head and face that’s the key – get that wrong and you’ll have a weird looking doll, so that’s what the majority of the workshop concentrates on. My interest in these dolls has been growing over the last couple of years – and at the same time, my interest in the teddy bears has been diminishing. The elephant I showed in the last post was the first bear I’d made in over 12 months and I didn’t particularly enjoy making it, so I see myself going down the Waldorf Doll route from now on so long as I can repeat the technique next time. I like that they’re made totally organically of all natural products, which is part of the Steiner principals. I also approve of the fact they are likely to be played with by children, which is why they are made so well. There are collectors out there too, but they are really designed to be played with.

Anyway, the little lady in green is the one I made - note, every bit is handmade! There were five of us making dolls and the next picture shows all the dolls together made by Sue, Alice, Manuela, Siobhan and me.

Now I don’t wish to offend anyone, but I just have to show you her cute little bum :0) 

If you're not familiar with Waldorf dolls, their origins are in the Steiner education system, although the original doll was of a much simpler design.

.... and with a beanie hat!

I decided to knit my nameless Waldorf doll a beanie hat to match her hooded coat - I rather like it.

Any ideas anyone of a name? I was thinking of starting to name through the alphabet (for no particular reason), so maybe something with 'A'. All suggestions gratefully received :0)

EDIT: Well that didn't take long! Thanks to my lovely and talented friend Vivi (a brilliant card maker), my doll is now called Annie - and doesn't it suit her very well? Thank you Vivi :0) xx